West Virginia looks to win back-to-back games for only the second time since the calendar flipped to the new year when they play host to No. 11 Iowa State on Wednesday. The Mountaineers ad Cyclones are both coming off of big wins on Saturday as both teams looks to improve their NCAA Tournament candidacy.
Keys to Victory
Three-Point Shooting for WVU
The Mountaineers must shoot the three-point shot well if they want to win this game. In Iowa State’s six losses this year, opponents are making on average nine three-pointers per game. In their wins, opponents are making just 6.4 three-pointers per game. This season, West Virginia is making 7.2 three-pointers per game. Hit that mark or exceed it if you’re West Virginia and there is a good chance you pull out the victory. The Mountaineers are 46 for 137 (33.6%) from three-point range over their past six games, down from their season average of 35.1%.
Limiting Turnovers
It is no secret WVU has struggled turning the ball over this season. In their last six games, the Mountaineers have turned the ball over at least 10 times in each of those contests. Iowa State leads the Big 12 in turnover margin, and in turnovers forced, forcing 12.1 per game. These turnovers are leading to on average, 20 Iowa State points per game. Simple enough for WVU — limit the turnovers, limit the easy opportunities for the Cyclones, limit their chance to win. Kedrian Johnson and Joe Toussaint will also have to handle the ball with care as Iowa State leads the conference in steals per game.
40 is the magic number
This season, Iowa State’s opponents have shot at least 40 percent from the field 12 times. Out of those 12 games, six of those games Iowa State lost. There has been no game this season where an Iowa State opponent has beaten the Cyclones and shot less than 40 percent from the field. If you’re West Virginia, it seems as if you hit that number, you give your team a good chance to win.
Game Information
Tip-Off: 7:00 p.m. EST
Location: WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, WV
TV: ESPN2
Series History: WVU leads the all-time series 12-9, with the Mountaineers winning seven of the last eight
Betting: WVU -3.5, O/U 135
